Below you will find a collection of historic interviews, panel talks, and in-depth musical analysis that demonstrate the sweep of the Festival’s influence under artistic leaders Carlos Chavez, Dennis Russell Davies, Marin Alsop, and Cristian Macelaru; and composers Lou Harrison, Aaron Copland, John Adams and others.
Composer Lou Harrison provides a talk on the evolution of contemporary music and presents a musical demonstration illustrating the influence of Eastern percussion traditions in his music, Cabrillo Festival, 1967. Duration: 30 mins.
Carlos Chavez (Music Director 1970-73) and Robert Hughes discuss Cabrillo Festival’s origins and 10th anniversary season. KSBW-TV “Viewpoint” Interview, 1971. Duration: 30 mins.
Interview with Dennis Russell Davies (Music Director 1974-1990) on his artistic vision for the Festival, 1973. Duration: 11 mins.
Aaron Copland on integrating folk music into compositions, Cabrillo Festival panel talk, 1978. Duration: 3 mins.
Composer John Adams (Music Director 1991), interviewed about The Death of Klinghoffer and the ’91 Festival season, KUSP radio, 1991. Duration: 15 mins.
Marin Alsop (Music Director 1992-2016) leads a panel on Bernstein’s Mass, Cabrillo Festival, 1999. Duration: 1.5 hours.
Cristian Macelaru (Music Director 2017-present) talks about his own artistic vision for the Festival ahead of his inaugural season, including the commission of The Prisoner by Karim Al Zand, 2017. Duration: 4 mins.